Friday, December 05, 2014

Maybe
the best album we've heard from Tony Allen in years – a really compelling set
that still holds onto all the elements we love in his music, but which also
introduces all these great other bits as well! The sound's never unfocused or
confused – and instead, it kind of allows Allen to leap off in even more
expressive styles – still grounded in rhythms that run back to his roots – but
filled with creative instrumentation from an array of guests, and some spacey,
electric touches that recall the fire in Tony's music when he first sprang back
on the scene about a decade ago! Allen adds a few pointed lyrics at points –
furthering the "life" presented in the title and great cover image –
and titles include "Go Back", "Ire Omo", "Ewa",
"Afro Kungfu Beat", "Moving On", "Boat Journey",
and "African Man". ~ Dusty
Groove

SPIKE
WILNER – LIVE AT SMALLS

Beautiful
work from pianist Spike Wilner – an artist we already respect for his tireless
work running the Live At Smalls series – and one that we've grown to love even
more for the fresh new sound of this wonderful record! Spike's always had a way
of linking styles and generations with his piano – sometimes very traditional,
sometimes very personal – yet here, he finds this really wonderful groove
that's somewhere in between, but very unique as well – a trio format that has
the guitar of Yotam Silberstein and bass of Paul Gill often dancing alongside
his own lines on piano – so that all three instruments resonate out strongly in
the melody, and find new ways to spiral out together! The approach is very
individual, and especially well-tuned to the wide range of material here –
which includes Wilner compositions, and some other surprising choices. Titles
include "Blues For The Common Man", "Pathetique",
"Variations On A Popular Theme #1", "Magnetic Rag", and
"Hopscotch". ~ Dusty Groove

JIM HARBECK QUARTET WITH WALTER SMITH III – VARIATIONS IN BLUE

Twin
tenors, used in a really wonderful way – one in the left channel, one in the
right – trading back and forth with a soulfully sublime sound! Both Jan Harbeck
and Walter Smith III have individually distinct sounds, and both players find a
way to resonate strongly together, while occupying a separate space on the
record – both from the perspective of their individual channels, and their
differing sensibilities! The overall approach is nicely laidback and mellow –
like a great late nite tenor album of years back, times two – and the
well-crafted rhythms are from Henrik Gunde on piano, Anders Holm on drums, and
Eske Norrelykke on some especially great bass. Titles include
"Salvation", "May Each Day", "Third Time To
Tango", "Nordic Echoes", and "Don't Let The Sun Catch You
Cryin". ~ Dusty Groove